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“I should really talk to him alone.” She smiles up at me. “But I love that you said that.”
I plant a kiss on her forehead. For her, I would do anything. “It’s us now.”
“It’s us now,” she echoes and pulls me down for another kiss.
Chapter26
Tess
Josh has been on eggshells since he walked through the door. He said he’d meet me anywhere and the choice was mine. I decided I’d rather stay on my turf.
It’s not that I distrust my uncle, not exactly. But after decades of observing his allegiance to his older brother, I’m wary when it comes to whose side he’s really on.
“This is a nice house,” he says as he trails me through the hallway. “Good location too.”
The door to the bedroom suite I share with Micah is open. “That’s my room.”
He looks inside, notes the large, neatly made bed and the obvious signs that a man lives in there too. A pair of Micah’s shoes are sitting outside the closet and a bag of his gym equipment rests on the floor.
My uncle withdraws from the doorway. “And what’s Micah up to today?”
“He’s working at his gym.”
“Prepping for a fight?”
“He’s not just a fighter. He’s also a personal trainer and he does maintenance around the place as needed. He works hard.”
My uncle’s nod is polite. “How often does he fight?”
“Depends. Yesterday he received an invitation for one in a couple of months and it’s a big deal. His opponent is a well known name and the fight will be live streamed on a major platform.”
“I’d go to see that. He’s good from what I understand.”
“Yes, he is.” I shut the door to my bedroom.
Uncle Josh hasn’t given any sign that he disapproves of my living arrangement. Still, I don’t feel like flaunting the fact that I sleep with my boyfriend every night.
This is the first time my uncle has ever seemed timid. He’s dressed in street clothes instead of a police uniform and he’s hesitant with his words, afraid of saying the wrong thing. He had a bag of my favorite scones in his hand when I answered the door a few minutes ago and he stood there shyly, waiting to be formally invited inside.
“Let’s go to the backyard,” I suggest when standing around in the hallway quickly becomes awkward.
Uncle Josh follows me wordlessly through the house. I wonder if he told my father he was coming to see me today. If I had to hazard a guess, I would say that he didn’t.
“Conner’s not around either?” he asks as I slide open the door to the patio.
“No, I think he’s at some golfing event. He does a lot of charity work in the off season.”
“That’s good,” says Uncle Josh, although he still seems preoccupied. He stands on the patio with his hands in his pockets and takes in the view of the huge, idyllic backyard. “This is what you want, living here?”
“If I didn’t want to be here then I have enough resources to find a different place to live.”
He looks at me with worry in his eyes. “I just meant that you’re always welcome to stay with me. No questions asked. My door is always open for you, Tess.”
“Something you and your brother don’t have in common,” I mutter.
He looks away once more.
“Uncle Josh, I appreciate the thought but I’m exactly where I want to be. I’m staying with Micah for good. He makes me happy.”
